Sony Crime Channel
 | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Programming | |
| Picture format | 576i 16:9 SDTV |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Sony Pictures Television |
| History | |
| Launched | 6 February 2018 |
| Replaced | Sony Channel (original) |
| Closed | 9 June 2020 |
| Replaced by | Court TV (on Sky) |
| Links | |
| Website | Official website[1] |
Sony Crime Channel was a British free-to-air television channel, focusing on crime television programmes and documentaries. It was launched on 6 February 2018 and was owned by Sony Pictures Television. It aired crime programming targeted at a female audience.[2]
History
Sony Crime Channel launched in February 2018, replacing the original Sony Channel[3] on all platforms, including Freeview and Freesat. At time of launch, it broadcast a range of crime dramas, including the free-to-air premiere of Orange Is the New Black as well as reruns of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Hustle.
In June 2019, ultimately due to low ratings, Sony announced that the channel would be downgraded, reducing its output to reality crime programming, akin to its now defunct sister channels True Crime and TruTV. Prior to these changes, a month earlier, the channel was withdrawn from Freesat and was moved to the G-MAN multiplex on Freeview, reducing availability to Manchester only and moved to channel 60. Additionally, its broadcast hours were cut down to 4:00 - 6:00 and its +1 service was replaced by Movies4Men +1. These Freeview changes occurred as a result of True Entertainment and True Movies moving to the local multiplex.
In September 2019, as part of a revamp of Sony's entertainment portfolio in the UK, Sony Crime Channel was the only channel without any sign of change. The channel swapped places with True Entertainment on Sky prior to Sony Channel's re-launch in the UK. The channel was replaced by Sony Channel +1 on Freeview, and at the end of the following month, Sony Crime Channel +1 closed on Sky.
The channel abruptly closed on 9 June 2020.
On 13 August 2020, an editor on the site TV Channel Lists noticed Sony Crime began broadcasting again with colour bars. This indicated that Sony Crime may make a return in the near-future.[4] However, as of 10 September 2020, the channel's slot on Sky was occupied by Court TV.
References
- ^ "Sony Crime Channel". Sony Crime Channel. Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2021. [dead link]
- ^ "Channel Profile: Sony Crime Channel". Sky Media. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
With a predominantly female audience, Sony Crime Channel will create a one-stop destination for crime fans to immerse themselves in the genre with a vibrant fusion of fascinating stories, heart-pounding thrills, engrossing characters and stunning reveals.
[dead link] - ^ White, Peter (22 January 2018). "Sony Launches Free-To-Air Crime Channel In The UK". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Corporation. Archived from the original on 28 January 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
The Hollywood studio is to launch the Sony Crime Channel on February 6 by merging its True Crime channel and entertainment station Sony Channel.
- ^ "Additional and defunct channels on Sky (UK & Ireland) – TVCL – TV Channel Lists".
